You traditionally make the tamales after the Rosca de Reyes, for a party on February 2, Día de la Candelaria.

Key tradition

  • Rosca de Reyes is eaten on January 6 (Three Kings Day / Día de Reyes).
  • Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine in their slice is “chosen” to host the Candlemas gathering on February 2.
  • That person is expected to provide tamales for everyone at that February 2 celebration.

So when do you make them?

  • The party with tamales is on February 2, so tamales are made shortly before or the day of Día de la Candelaria.
  • Many people start prep a day or two ahead (making fillings one day, assembling and steaming tamales the next) because tamales are time‑intensive.

Mini timeline

  1. January 6: Eat Rosca de Reyes and see who gets the baby.
  1. After January 6: The “lucky” person plans the Candlemas get‑together.
  1. Around Feb 1–2: Make and serve the tamales for Día de la Candelaria.

TL;DR: You do not make tamales for the Rosca itself; you make them for the follow‑up Candlemas party on February 2, once the Rosca has “chosen” who will host.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.